GSAS Student Emergency Fund

Purpose

The GSAS Student Emergency Fund is intended to mitigate short-term financial hardship that results from sudden, extreme, and unanticipated circumstances, and which may preclude the student from completing their studies. The fund reimburses one-time expenses up to $1,000 for students who demonstrate that expenses cannot be covered by current sources of income or other personal resources.

Recipients are not required to repay disbursements from the Student Emergency Fund. However, we encourage students who draw from the fund to contribute to it to the extent that they are able at any time, so that others who face similar challenges may continue to benefit

Eligibility

  • Students must be currently registered in an Arts and Sciences MA, PhD, or DMA program.
  • Expenses must be for immediate circumstances and directly related to the student.
  • Expenses must be for new and unanticipated, non-recurring circumstances. The Emergency Fund cannot be used to cover expenses already factored into the Cost of Attendance (tuition, fees, housing and meals, books and supplies, travel and personal expenses). Basic needs like housing and food may be eligible in certain, limited circumstances (see below). Examples of eligible expenses could include:
    • Housing costs for students experiencing new/unexpected loss of income, an unforeseen influx of other timely expenses, safety needs, or student’s inability to afford rent due to other emergent circumstances.
    • Food assistance for students with short-term food needs that exceed what the Columbia Food Pantry and other local food resources can provide.
    • Temporary housing for displacement due to fire, flood, or other unforeseen circumstances.
    • Emergency medical expenses not covered by insurance or other resources such as the Student Employee Support Fund, either partially or fully.
      • Medical expenses for chronic or non-emergent conditions can be considered on a case-by-case basis when they are one-time and/or when the student has experienced a new/unexpected loss of income or an unforeseen influx of other timely expenses.
    • Travel costs related to unexpected crisis or death in the family.
    • One-time replacement of certain personal items (technology, limited essential home appliances or furnishings) when the loss of such items may preclude a student from completing their studies and when the student has experienced a new/unexpected loss of income or an unforeseen influx of other timely expenses.

Application Process

  • Applicants must provide a brief description (300 words or less) of their unanticipated hardship. The description should include details about the circumstances that presented the hardship and information about what other resources the student has access to or has attempted to secure.
  • Applicants must complete this online form and submit all related receipts and supporting documentation.
    • Supporting documentation submitted in a language other than English must be accompanied by translations.
    • Receipts in a currency other than US dollars must be accompanied by currency exchange rates. 

Review Process

  • Requests are considered on a rolling basis as they are received. Applicants can expect to receive an update on the status of their application within two weeks.
  • Applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, provided that they meet the eligibility criteria above. Eligibility does not guarantee funding, and funding may be limited or partial depending on circumstance and availability. In general, students are eligible to receive one grant per academic year.
  • Please note: If you disclose any information about legally reportable topics (sexual or gender misconduct, hazing, bias/discrimination, harassment, etc.) in your application, your response may be shared with the appropriate campus offices, and you may be contacted for follow-up. In some cases, the Emergency Fund Committee will also reach out to an applicant’s department to find the best possible solution for the circumstance. If you have concerns about who will be made aware of your request, please reach out to the GSAS Emergency Fund Committee ([email protected]) before applying.

Contact

Please contact [email protected] if you have any questions about the Arts and Sciences Graduate Emergency Fund, including about eligibility.